Waterproof case



July 10, 1934. L. L. JONES WATERPROOF CAS E Filed April 4, 1932 faQ/z MMV @i Patented July 1G, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE 6 Claims.

My invention relates to waterproof cases or containers and is particularly directed to a Waterproof case to be used by bathers for carrying such items as for example cigarettes, matches, and the like, although it is obvious that by varying the size of the device it may be made to carry different items.

It is the principal purpose of this invention to provide a device of this character which can be 10 readily and securely attached to the clothing and which can also be opened with ease, the waterproof characteristics of the container being such that it will remain waterproof over a long period of years.

l5 I will describe the preferred form of the invention by reference to the accompanying drawing wherein- Fig. 1 is a side View partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a View of the bottom end of the container of the case; and

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, the case 5 is molded of some suitable non-corrosive material such for example as the synthetic resinoid compounds sold under the trade name of bakelite. As shown, this case is of sufficient Wall thickness to provide a comparatively thick Wall surface at the top at 6 upon which the cap 7 fits. The oase provided with a transverse web 3 which terminates substantially ush with the top and which as shown extends the full length of the casing dividing it into two compartments although this length is not necessary for the purposes of the invention.

The c'ap 7 is preferably made or coated with a non-corrosive metal, and in the present instance I prefer to employ a brass cap with a chromium plating. The flange around the edge of the cap 40 extends down over the case and insures rigidity of the cap so it will bear evenly on the case throughout its length. This cap has seated therein a sealing member 9 of some material preferably a high grade rubber. The cap 7 is held in place by a locking member 10 which screws onto the pin l1 that is molded in the web 8 and projects upwardly from the container through suitable openings 12 and 13 provided in the rubber 9 and cap 7, respectively.

The locking member is constructed of an outer molded portion le, preferably of the same material as the case, and an inner sleeve 15 which may be of brass. The web being iiush with the top of the case, it is believed to be clear that,

when the member 10 is tightened on the pin 11,

(Cl. 20G-38) it will cause the rubber member 9 to seal the container around the edges and in addition the openings at 12 and 13 will be prevented from causing leakage by the sealing or" the rubber member against the web 8. 50

The web 8 in addition to its function as a mounting for the pin 11 also serves as a mounting for the rivet 16 which holds the clip 17 on the case. The clip, as shown, has a portion struck down at 18 which iits into the groove 19 of the 65 case while the remainder of the clip is extended down along side the case, the clip being bowed out as indicated at 20 to afford the proper spacing from the case itself and to receive the hem of the bathing suit. The clip is, oi course, construoted of spring material and also preferably chromium plated to prevent corrosion. The seating of the part 18 of the clip in the groove holds the clip against twisting and thus avoids the use of more than one rivet.

The groove 19, it will be noted, is extended down beneath the clip, and this is done for the pure pose of enabling the clip to gain a better hold upon the wet cloth when the device is attached for example to a bathing suit. The pressure of the clip tends to force the material into the groove 19, and the sharp edges of this groove effectively prevent lateral displacement of the clip on the cloth.

The clip is also cut out as indicated at 21 or 22 35 for the same purpose that the groove 19 is provided-namely, to provide for the expansion of the cloth through the openings at 21 and 22 so that the edges around these openings can more effectively oppose slippage.

The bottom of the case is provided, as shown, with the knurled or roughened portion 23 which forms a surface upon which matches can be struck.

From the above description and drawing, it will be seen that the clip attachment while strong and rigid does not provide any opening into the interior of the case which might result in leakage. The web 8 provides an adequate bearing for the rubber sealing member and prevents distortion of the cap due to screwing the locking member 10 on too tightly.

I nd also that by using the resin material for the case, the tendency of the Water to stick to the oasel after it has been taken out of the water is materially less than with other materials. The case, therefore, dries quickly and enables one to use the bottom of the case for striking matches without any great delay.

The sealing means is such that practically no ci i cutting action takes place on the rubber, and, for this reason, it will last for a long time. Moreover, the only repair necessary in case the rubber does become worn is to replace the rubber member 9 with a new piece.

The complete case weighs about three ounces loaded with cigarettes and matches which is very close to the weight of water it displaces. Therefore, it does not sink readily in water.

The case is preferably Worn next to the body and attached to any convenient part of the bathing suit. Because of its thin iiat design and its lack of weight in water, it is not felt by the bather against his body while he is swimming.

From the above description, it is believed that the construction and advantages of this device will be clear to those skilled in the art.

Having thus described one specific form of my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

i. A case for cigarettes andthe like having a body portion open at one end and having a rela.- tively thick wall around the opening, a cap member having a resilient waterproof cushion thereon for engaging said wall, a pin projecting through said cap, and a lock member engaging said pin to press the cushion against the wall, and means cooperating with the cushion to seal the case against water entering around said pin, means comprising a transverse web in the case from which said pin projects, the cushion being clamped between the cap and web around said pin.

2. A case for cigarettes and the like having a body portion open at one end, and having means for closing said open end tightly, and means for supporting said case comprising an elongated groove in the side of the case, a spring clip overlying said groove and fixed to the case, and said clip extending laterally beyond the side edges of said groove.

3. A case for cigarettes and the like having a body portion open at one end, and having means for closing said open end tightly, and means for supporting said case comprising an elongated groove in the side of the case, a spring clip overlying said groove and fixed to the case, said clip having a cut-out portion between its ends through which fabric may expand when the case is clipped to clothing.

4. A case for cigarettes and the like having a body portion open at one end, and having means for closing said open end tightly, and means for supporting said case comprising an elongated groove in the side of the case, a spring clip overlying said groove and iixed to the case, said case having a transv rse web therein, and securing means for the clip extending into said web.

,5. A case for cigarettes and the like having a body portion open at one end, having means for closing said open end tightly, rand moans for supporting said case comprising an elongate groove in the side of the case, a spring clip overlying said groove and xed'to the case, said case having a transverse web extending to said open end, said web having a member projecting therefrom to which said closing means attaches.

6. Acase for cigarettes and the like having a body portion open at one end and having a relatively thiok wall around the opening, a cap member having a resilient waterproof cushion thereon for engaging said wall, a transverse web in said case and a securing means passing through said cap and cushion and clamping said cushion against said web around said securing means to seal the case around said means.

LOUIS L. JONES. 

